Friend to Friend - February 25th

This past Sunday evening, millions of people gathered around their TV's or computers to watch the Oscars. John Legend and Common won the best song for Glory, the song from the movie Selma. It was a powerful performance as they recreated the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma that Dr King and others walked across. I have attached the link for you to view this performance.

This is a wonderful movie that shows a very personal side of Dr King. I was particularly taken with how Dr King tried to discern what to do in each step of the civil rights struggle. When it was decided to plan the march across the bridge at Selma, the local leaders in the city filed an injunction in the court system to prevent this from happening. This injunction was sitting on the judge's desk with no decision having been made the day of the march. Folks gathered with Dr King on that day and started to march but things turned violent quickly. Dr King made a decision to turn back. Other leaders in the movement were furious and disappointed with him. They felt this decision was a terrible strategy, disappointed folks that had traveled a distance for the march, and made them look weak. There is a dramatic moment on the bridge when Dr King is trying to discern the path forward and he is on his knees and one could almost feel the presence of God speaking to him. He heard the Spirit and followed the leading. It turned out to be the right decision as they planned a second march after the judge ruled in their favor giving them the right to assemble and walk across the bridge. And the images of violence against these innocent folks on the bridge reverberated throughout the world.

Sometimes following God's voice is difficult. Others might not understand the leading. Sometimes we have to move alone and against the tide. As the movie depicted so well, following God's leadings can be lonely and full of heartbreak. But this is how God speaks and moves in this world - through each one of us listening to the Spirit and following the leadings.

The Quaker practice of silent worship is a great discipline for this art of listening to God. It is the most important time that we spend individually and collectively. Creating the time and space for listening is crucial to feeling and hearing God's presence and to travel fully alive and involved in this journey of our life.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Rufus Jones is Coming to Meeting for Worship this Sunday! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of the leading Quakers of the 19th and 20th Centuries at First Friends Meeting. And it won’t be the first time… Rufus presented his paper, ‘Shall there be a Central Body?’ at the Third Quinqennial (Five Years Meeting) Conference of Friends at First Friends in 1897. He has lots to share with us all!

If anyone is available at 2 pm this Sunday to help, we are moving our Changing Footprints shoe room from first floor to third floor (we just received notice of this required move). We will have carts to move the boxes of shoes up an elevator. We are at 9302 N. Meridian, Suite 194, which is the NW corner of 93rd and N. Meridian. Please contact Carol Donahue at 317-753-4549 if you can help. Thanks.

Church Women United: Every year, on the first Friday of March, women around the world join together to pray for the peoples of the world. It is a worldwide ecumenical event that focuses on prayerful action in the world. The service is written by women of a different country each year – this year, by the World Day of Prayer group of the Bahamas. WDP gatherings promote justice and equality for women through prayer, service, scripture, worship and celebration. Men and women – all people – are invited to join together in prayer. Friday, March 6th, Union Chapel United Methodist at 10:00 am in English and Friday, March 6th, Allisonville Christian Church at 7:30 pm in Spanish and English

Please join us for CommunitySoup onFriday, March 6th,anytime between 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Enjoy soups, bread, and dessert in a relaxed atmosphere. No cooking, no dishwashing, and no charge.

It’s Time to Retreat! Have you ever been to Quaker Haven? Many of us have, and we all have a chance to go next month… for the Western Yearly Meeting Retreat, March 6 & 7. Friends will gather from all parts of Indiana and Western Illinois for an overnight stay, worship, fun, and the challenges that Jim Griffith* will bring as our speaker. Vision and Vitality will be served generously! Come and join Beth and Ruthie… we hope to have a great crowd from First Friends. Register now for best prices. See the brochure, found at http://westernym.net/pdf/2015WinterRetreat.pdf! Send it in pronto!

Join us for an Eco-Film Series here at First Friends, at 7p.m. on the second Friday of each month through April. The next one is Friday, March 13th at 7p.m. called “Til The River Runs Clear”. The story of the grassroots effort to clean up the Hudson River. An amazing story led by folksinger Pete Seeger and the tireless advocacy of a community to return a river to its once wondrous beauty. An inspirational account of activism at its best. (30 minutes.)

Join us for the first 2015 Woods Work day, March 14th from 9 am-12 noon! We're inviting everyone to join us as we continue to care for our Meditational Woods. The mission of the Woods is to provide a place where people can experience nature in a peaceful urban setting. It is a benefit for the Meeting as well as the community. This year, we will concentrate on eliminating non-native invasives like amur honeysuckle and wintercreeper ground cover. These plants take over the area and crowd out the native plants that feed our birds and insects. After removing these invasive invaders, we will be planting native species to improve our biodiversity. All volunteers are welcome. We welcome any volunteers who would rather make some healthy snacks instead of digging weeds. Bring some tools and a cheerful spirit and we will have fun while we work. Work times are 9- 12 noon and snacks will be provided. Future 2015 workdays are as follows: April 18, May 9, September 26, and November 7.

Do you have a talent you want to share? Saturday, March 21st is the date of the First Friends Meeting Talent Show! Vicki Wertz and Beth Henricks are our “Talent Scouts”. Please contact Beth Henricks at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org and let her know that you want to participate. Start polishing those dancing shoes, and warming up your vocal cords… or preparing whatever talent you may have!

The Preschool Co-op is hosting a Rummage Sale here at First Friends on April 18th!!!They are organizing and hosting the event themselves, but we will share in the proceeds. We are asking our members/attenders to bring in items for sale as they are cleaning out closets, cupboards and garages. We will accept all items (except no drop side cribs, car seats or bumbo seats). Please start bringing in your items and place them in the unused Sunday School room with the sign that says Rummage Sale.